Halle al'Chair

It’s time to step into Namur’s history as you approach the Halle al’Chair, located to the right of the bridge. Say goodbye to the 21st century and hello to the 16th! Built at the request of the then Governor of Brussels, Philip II of Spain, this large building was designed for the city’s butchers. More than a gift, it was meant to gather these merchants in one enclosed space—for obvious reasons of odor, hygiene, and public health. A huge step forward, since until then, meat trade took place in the streets, leading to significant waste and fostering the spread of stubborn diseases and epidemics. Of the Halle al’Chair’s three floors, only the ground level housed the meat stalls. Administrative tasks took place upstairs, while at the bottom, in the arches, leftover meat was butchered—or simply disposed of. Having served many roles over the years—as a school, arsenal, hospital, and archaeological museum—the Halle al’Chair has been home to Namur’s tourist office since July 2023. Quite the transformation since its beginnings!